Real Fuel Economy (MPG's) Please!

[Turbo Kidd]

Sorry to beat this into the groung guys, but your help and honesty would be greatly appreciated. I have an 03 2500 HO, 4x4, automatic 48RE, with 373's. I am getting 13-14MPG in the city (Chicago Suburbs), and 16. 5-18MPG on the road empty. On one hand I'm happy about these numbers, because I used to get 8MPG city, and 10-11MPG highway with my old V-10! However, with fuel going up in price ($2. 33 + in Chicago), and with people posting 16MPG city and 20+MPG highway... . I'm wondering what the hell is wrong with my truck!?! :{ It runs great, I have 26,000 miles on it..... I have had no engine, performance or trans. problems. What gives? I had the dealership do a reflash at 20,000 miles, but no change. Can you guys, give me some advice, and / or your "REAL" fuel economy numbers. Thanks Turbo Kidd.

 

[chi440]

Relax - be happy. .

You are not driving a Neon...



Mileage depends on a lot of factors - primarily driving habits.

Winterized fuel has diminishing effect on economy also. .



Around town - Especially metro areas - will really drop economy -



Best economy = steady driving - in overdrive - about 55 to 60ish - good fuel ??

 

[Turbo Kidd]

I agree with everything you point out. I'm just curious how some guys are getting such good fuel economy. I'm also trying to figure out what the average MPG members are getting. Thanks for your input.

 

[DanWilson]

Here is some info for thought. I purchased my truck on Memorial Day weekend, since then I have added fuel 20 times (refill at 1/2 to 1/4 tank). Fuel prices were $1. 53 back then, this morning I paid $2. 04 At first I ran 65 mph during my 56+ mile daily commute and got 14. 5 mpg, then I eased up above 15, then in the mid 16s. I started out using the cruise control during the commute, somewhere in here I decided to see if not using the cruise made a difference-it did. The road is hilly- I think the cruise hurts mileage unless you have miles & miles of flat ground. Three tanks ago, I hit 16. 9, tank before this- 17. 1, this morning 18. 353mpg. The only things I have done is put a Fleetguard BHAF on a few weeks after the purchase, added Royal Purple 15w-40 3188 miles ago, and added 1gal of wmo to the tank at the last fill up. I keep it between 60 & 65 and I never rev it more than 2000 rpm unless I have to get out of somebody's way, that includes all shifts at or below 2000. I think the right foot has the largest impact on fuel mileage. My $0. 02 Dan
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[OHale]

Hi,



My highway numbers are nearly identical to yours, and my city/county driving runs from about 14. 5 to 16 mpg. I have about 6600 miles on my truck.



The mileage is about the same as my '95 dually with 4. 10 gears. The dually weighs about 1,000 pounds more than my 04. 5 but also is rated at 135 less horsepower.



Love the truck.

 

[Hawkeye 04]

Hate sayin' this, but if I keep mine at 55-60 on good roads I get 20-22 mpg consistantly. Not just going down hill. If I bump it up to 75-80 it drops to 16-18mpg. If I'm pulling my 18' cargo trailer at 75-80 it averages 11-13 mpg.

Oh, I've got 32,000 on mine.

 

[lmills]

I typically get between 17-19 hand calculated MPG with my 6 speed 4x4 dually on the interstate. I have seen an all time high of 22. 5 MPG the other week, but believe me it wasn't easy just driving at 65 MPH and no faster

 

[BNH4221]

turbo Kidd



With about 3k miles and a month under my belt, I am getting an average of 16. 9 to 17. 4 MPG. Hand Calc.

Mostly highway, 70-80 MPH.



As for diesel prices, the way I look at it, a small increase in gas prices ( from 2. 00 to 2. 13 or so) is a small price to pay for the grin I get when I fire it up in the morning. About what I would spend on a coffee and donut.

Cheap price for the grins.



I LOVE THIS TRUCK!

 

[bpenrod]

Just did a run to central Ohio and back, 600+ miles mostly interstate or two lane country road. Got 21 mpg with the cruise set at 70. If I can keep it at 60 to 65 it gets a little better than that. I usually average around 17 with mixed city/highway/light towing.

 

[mhenon]

Sorry to beat this into the groung guys, but your help and honesty would be greatly appreciated. I have an 03 2500 HO, 4x4, automatic 48RE, with 373's. I am getting 13-14MPG in the city (Chicago Suburbs), and 16. 5-18MPG on the road empty. On one hand I'm happy about these numbers, because I used to get 8MPG city, and 10-11MPG highway with my old V-10! However, with fuel going up in price ($2. 33 + in Chicago), and with people posting 16MPG city and 20+MPG highway... . I'm wondering what the hell is wrong with my truck!?! :{ It runs great, I have 26,000 miles on it..... I have had no engine, performance or trans. problems. What gives? I had the dealership do a reflash at 20,000 miles, but no change. Can you guys, give me some advice, and / or your "REAL" fuel economy numbers. Thanks Turbo Kidd.

You're probably right in there with a 4X4 and an automatic transmission. Also, with 20k miles there is still aways to go before full break-in. At 60k miles my truck keeps edging up on mileage.

Synthetic oils, all around, might get you a small increase (if you're now using non-syn). One of the biggist jumps I had was when the bed cover went on. Highway mileage jumped 10%. . from 21mpg to 24mpg. The cover really cut down on wind resistance.

Overall, I'ed say you doing fine. Oh... pump those tires up if want the best mileage. It makes for a rough ride but you will see an increase.

Mike

 

[MMead]

My numbers are exactly the same as yours. I've been surprised how much difference a head wind makes on my interstate milage - it really makes it drop. Even when the wind and hills are favorable though I've never been able to get over 18. 5 on the interstate at 68 mph empty. (I can't stand going any faster than that because of the 70 mph drone ) I know everyone else says differently, but I would think our automatics would get better milage on the interstate since the top gear is actually higher than the top gear on the 6 speed?? I assume the same isn't true about the 48re in town because you don't have as much control over rpm's and clutch slippage.

 

[mberry]

Hand calc'd yesterday. 15. 64mpg 99. 9% driving in town.

 

[jmadden]

Your mileage is right in there w/ mine... although it trickles upwards slowly. I miss the ~22-23mpg that my y2k was getting... on the other hand that truck was having some other issues. I particularly like the 4 almost real doors on the '04. 5... and the 6-speed.



The high was 17. 85 @ 6200 miles, but the mpg has yet to stabilize... up for a tank, down for a tank... but slowly improving w/ smaller swings. Towing the car trailer has been ~11-12mpg.



'04. 5, SLT 4x4 SRW LB, "600" w/ 6-speed & 3. 73.

 

[GMueller]

I have a early 2004 2500 4X4 QC SB HO (305hp 555ftlb) 6sp 3. 73 loaded Laramie with 10k miles. No mods yet (4" MBRP turbo-back exhaust next week) except snugtop XV canopy. Combined driving I get 18-19mpg (50-50 city-hwy), 22-24 Highway (I rarely go more than 65). The Aero-dynamics of the canopy helped 1-2mpg. I am really pleased with the performance/economy for this heavy of a vehicle.



Ride-on

 

[N8]

Drove my 2005 from Northern Idaho to Southern California (1480 miles) in September. 3500 HO (Empty) 6Speed 4x4 (SRW) Quad, long bed 4. 10s. Kept the RPMs under 1800. Cruise set at 60mph. Achieved 23mpg average.

Drove Bakersfield to Newport Beach cruise set at 65mph achieved 20mpg.

Driving around town I never shift over 1800rpm and don't accelerate quickly. Achieved 18mpg.

It is all in driving, and less lead in the shoes.

 

[CChase]

I have a early 2004 2500 4X4 QC SB HO (305hp 555ftlb) 6sp 3. 73 loaded Laramie with 10k miles. No mods yet (4" MBRP turbo-back exhaust next week) except snugtop XV canopy. Combined driving I get 18-19mpg (50-50 city-hwy), 22-24 Highway (I rarely go more than 65). The Aero-dynamics of the canopy helped 1-2mpg. I am really pleased with the performance/economy for this heavy of a vehicle.



Ride-on

Those are the same numbers I see with mine. Max MPG was 22. 80, but that was on a drive from WA to OR at 60MPH. Overall average for the truck is 18. 75 hand calc'd. This was at ~15k.



Also worth noting is that I have seen an average discrepancy of 8% (in my favor) from what the OH computer reads v what hand calcs show.

 

[JSchutz]

My truck is identical to yours but my driving is difficult to qualify. I drive back country roads, 35-60 mph, with constant slow down/speed ups for curves and hills. Occasionally I do a stint on the interstate at 75 mph. I also have 1300 pounds mounted in the bed. Other than towing I've not had a single tank hand figure below 17. 6 or over 18. 8 mpg over the last 70,000 miles. Only mods are exhaust (Donaldson + Aeroturbine) and airbox (6 X 1 1/2" holes drilled in the bottom)--resulted in a 0. 4 mpg improvement. . I don't think we get winter blend down here (western NC). My previous truck, a Duramax/Allison did a bit better--consistently around 19 mph doing the same work (by "better" I mean fuel economy--it was a maintenence nightmare). Rules to live by: Accelerate slow and drive five miles over the posted limit. You'll get good economy and no tickets. Jeff

 

[moparmarty]

I have 5300 miles on my 2004. 5, QC, 4x4 6-speed, 3. 73. As with the others, my mileage is increasing as I get it broken in. My driving is mostly backroads at 50 MPH & interstate at 60MPH. I get around 20 MPG overall with a high of 23. 3 on a 300 mile trip with the cruse at 55MPH (just to see what I could get. ) I have found that I get the best mileage if I drive like I had an egg strapped to the accelerator pedal. But it sure is fun romping it when getting onto the freeway.



I just had the dealer flash the computer, so the mileage might get even better. This is my first diesel & I'm really happy with my truck. I've had no problems with it.



Enjoy you truck, Turbo Kidd. Dodge & Cummins really have produced a great product.

 

[rashwor]

I have a 2005 4X2 dually quad cab with only 800 miles so far. I am averaging just over 16mpg so far, hand calculated. I have topped off 3 times since I got the truck and at each time, the mileage has gotten a little better. See below:



10/15 - 15. 03mpg

10/19 - 16. 63mpg

10/22 - 16. 68mpg



Admitting that between the 10/19 and 10/22 fill-ups there were some stints of 70+mph and some quick accelerations. These things are fun to drive and I find it is hard to keep my foot out of it.



I do about 20% - 30% in town driving and the rest is mostly 2 lane state highways with hills and curves with speed up and down; hard to qualify the driving, but it does work against me on mileage.



A final word. Don't worry, be happy with the truck. My '99 was a regular cab 4X2 dually with a EZ. It averaged 15. 4mpg for 178,000+ miles. Looks like this one will be 16 or better and it is a larger truck. I am very happy with my trade. I was afraid with the bad mileage reports that I would get one of those 13mpg or less trucks and that scared me at $2. 00+ a gallon.

 

[TCrawley]

I have put 12 tanks in my truck since June 14th delivery and here is my exact running total to US mpg's. I have travelled 9,396. 9 kms and put 1265. 098 litres of fuel which when divided together and multiplied by 3. 8 gives me a 28. 225 imperial miles per gallon divided by 1. 6 km's per litre gives me 17. 64 US mpg. My truck is stock and my trip to work is 28kms long. Quite a few traffic lights and stop signs. On highway I have seen 19-20 mpg without stopping and light throttle at around 55 mph. I drive to work taking easy shifts around 2,000 rpm and keep cruise on at 85 to 90 kmh. Hope this helps. I still wish I had a 555/305 but I do love my truck.